Raspberry Pi NOOBS: How to set up, configure, and use NOOBS

So you've got a fresh Raspberry Pi...where do you start? First things first—you'll need an operating system. One easy way to get an OS loaded on your Raspberry Pi is to use NOOBS.

What is NOOBS?

NOOBS is an OS installation program created by Raspberry Pi. It comes pre-loaded with operating systems that can run on the Raspberry Pi. You can also use it to download additional OS images from the internet.

What does NOOBS stand for?

NOOBS is an acronym for New Out Of the Box Software.

How does NOOBS work?

The NOOBS software package is downloaded onto your computer and installed onto a MicroSD card. When you load the SD card on your Raspberry Pi, an interface loads with a selection of Operating Systems. You can use the NOOBS program to choose an OS, download additional ones from the internet, and install them directly onto your Pi.

NOOBS saves you the trouble of tracking down individual OS packages online. It's like a one-stop-shop for setting up an OS on your Pi.

You can find these operating systems on NOOBS for installation. Certain ones are built into the NOOBS SD card installation while others will need to be downloaded before installing. Don't worry -- the NOOBS installer will download them for you automatically!

Your Pi should now boot into NOOBS. Connecting your Pi to the internet will give you more installation options. You can use an Ethernet cable or click Wifi networks at the top to open Wifi options. This will expand the list of available software you can install.

Scroll through the list to find the operating system you need. From there, just follow the prompts to complete the installation process.